Since the start of lockdown, there has been a huge focus on self-care with #skincareroutine and #selfcare tagged in millions of posts on the ‘gram. And more often than not, the beauty regimes captured will include a beloved face mask – be it shop bought or homemade. In fact, several celebrities including Adut Akech and Hailey Bieber have opted for the latter - whipping up their own face mask recipe in the comfort of their own home (find the A-list approved face mask recipes here).
We've spoken to Celebrity Skincare Expert, Debbie Thomas, who shared her ‘glow at home’ face mask recipe using just four simple ingredients that are probably already sat in your kitchen cupboard. Here, to show you how it’s done, Beauty Writer Emma Stoddart has a go at making the face mask and gives her honest review…
Watch: How To Make Your Own DIY Face Mask At Home
The Ingredients
'Part of maintaining a glow is hydration and keeping inflammation at bay so by combining moisture-rich cucumber, nourishing avocado, calming and soothing oats and anti-inflammatory turmeric you'll get that glow,' says Debbie.
¼ of a cucumber - cucumber contains caffeic acid in the flesh (which is anti-inflammatory) and silica in the skin (which is firming). It's packed with water and antioxidants. 'It's like a liquid lunch for your skin,' says Debbie.
1/3 of an avocado - avocado is full of natural oils rich in vitamin C and E that will leave skin feeling soft and supple.**
¼ cup of oats - oats are high in lipids and protein which make them a great humectant (draws and binds moisture to itself) and are occlusive (creates a sealing layer) so traps ingredients in the skin. 'Oats are recommended by dermatologists in a warm bath to help reduce itching and dryness associated with eczema,' explains Debbie.
½ teaspoon of turmeric - turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and full of antioxidants. 'Curcumin is the main compound in turmeric and has been used for centuries as a natural wound healer and skin brighter in India,' says Debbie.
The Step-By-Step
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Cleanse and exfoliate: always remove any make-up before applying a face mask. It’s also a good idea to exfoliate and slough away those dulling dead skin cells, so the ingredients in the mask can really penetrate the skin.
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Mix the avocado and cucumber: you can either grate the cucumber and mash it together with the avocado or use a blender to combine.
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Blend together the oats and turmeric: ideally use a blender for this to get a really fine powder.
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Combine all ingredients: now mix together the turmeric and oat powder with the avocado and cucumber until you get a smooth paste consistency that's not too thin. If it's more like a liquid, add in some extra oats. And if it's too thick, pour in some water.
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Cool the mask: pop your mixture in the fridge and let it cool down - applying it cold will stimulate microcirculation and give skin an extra boost.
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Apply the mask: smooth a thicker layer over your face and wait for 20-30 minutes.
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Rinse off: gently wash off your mask and revel in your new found glow
Note of caution, as Debbie points out, turmeric will stain clothes and surfaces so be careful of spillages.
The Review
‘Bright, glowing skin is always top of my beauty wish-list, which is why I jumped at the chance of trying out Debbie’s glow-at-home recipe. The mixture itself was really easy to make and I’m a big fan of skincare products that contain turmeric - so was glad to see it in there. If, like me, you’re debating on whether to pop it in the fridge to cool, I would highly recommend that you do as applying the cold mixture feels so refreshing and is ideal if you want to take down puffiness or calm irritation. After rinsing off the mask, I was really impressed with the results – my skin felt super smooth and just looked that little bit more awake and re-energised.’
If you're not in the mood to make your own face mask, take your pick from our round up of the best face masks available online here:
Best Face Masks 2021
1 of 7Decleor Green Mandarin Scrub Mask, £34
The ultimate glow-giver, this mask works to exfoliate and smooth the skin with natural sugars, seeds and zests. Apply in the morning after cleansing and leave on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off and moisturising.
2 of 7Pixi Vitamin-C Energizing Infusion Sheet Mask, £10 for 3
Saturated with vitamin c, caffeine and ferulic acid, Pixi's new sheet mask instantly brightens, de-puffs and energises skin. Once you take off the mask make sure you pat in the left over serum for extra glow.
3 of 7Freck Foreclay Cactus Clay Mask, £18.50
New cool brand on the block, Freck, has launched a skincare line which includes this clay mask that draws out impurities and dirt without leaving skin tight and dry.
4 of 7Simple Hemp Ultra Calming Sheet Mask, £2.99
Stressed out skin? Give this K-beauty inspired sheet mask a whirl. Formulated with organic hemp seed oil, vitamin E and omegas, this sheet mask will seriously calm sensitive skin whilst intensely moisturising it. Plus, it's made with natural fibres so is 100% biodegradable.
5 of 7Lumene Nordic Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72h Hydra Gel Mask, £20.90
Promising up to 72 hours of deep hydration, this is great option for dry, thirsty skin. The gel-like texture feels super refreshing and calming on application. After use skin looks fresh, bouncy and that bit more alive.
6 of 7Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask, £22.50
This mini jet lag mask is the perfect size for travelling and will keep skin nourished and hydrated on the go with a powerful blend of ceramides, vitamins and antioxidants.
7 of 7Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask, £21
Glow-giving AHA's and brightening vitamins work to revive dull, lack lustre skin for a healthy, radiant glow.
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